Wyden Asks DNI to Follow FTC Lead on Data Broker Purchases
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines should direct intelligence agencies to limit purchases of data about Americans when collection of the data meets FTC standards, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., wrote in a letter Thursday. Wyden released documents he said confirm…
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that the NSA “buys Americans’ internet records, which can reveal which websites they visit and what apps they use.” He noted the FTC issued a recent order (see 2401090081) holding “that data brokers must obtain Americans’ informed consent before selling their data.” The federal government shouldn’t be “funding and legitimizing a shady industry whose flagrant violations of Americans’ privacy are not just unethical, but illegal,” Wyden wrote. “To that end, I request that you adopt a policy that, going forward, IC elements may only purchase data about Americans that meets the standard for legal data sales established by the FTC.” He urged the DNI to direct agencies to inventory purchased data, determine whether it meets FTC standards, and purge whatever doesn’t. DNI didn’t comment.